When our military men and women who serve our country return home after serving months-long deployment overseas, they often have a difficult time readjusting to life back in the states. Many of these veterans come home suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as they struggle to deal with everything they went through.
William Jazwinski is one veteran who came home with a lot of emotional baggage. As a former Heavy Wheeled Vehicle Operator for the United States Army, he had many traumatizing memories from his time serving in Iraq.
Despite everything he had been through, William saw fighting for his country as the ultimate honor, and he always kept an American flag in his truck to remind him what he had fought for. He never expected for this flag to cause him to be targeted by a police officer…
William was out driving one day when he noticed a police officer was trying to pull him over. The veteran was surprised since he was not speeding at the time, and he wondered what he had possibly done wrong to cause the officer to pull him over. He pulled out his license and registration so that he could hand them over to the officer, but he quickly learned that this was not what the cop was looking for at all…
William took to Facebook to reveal what happened next in an emotional post that has since gone viral:
Me: Good morning, Officer. Was I speeding?
Officer: Good morning, no not speeding. Just wanted to stop ya and say thank you for your service.
Me: Oooh the bumper sticker, nice. Your welcome, Sir. My pleasure.
Officer: Where did you serve?
Me: I went to Iraq. Did a 15 month [stint]. Out of Fort Benning.
Officer: Well, alright. My son went to Iraq. He didn’t make it home.”
Me: Man, I’m so sorry to hear that. I just finished a PTSD program.
Officer: I see you have a flag in the truck. The one we got for him? Well, it’s at the house. Can I ask a question?
Me: Sure.
Officer: Do you mind stepping out and receiving a hug? You remind me of my son. I pulled you over. I thought you were him. I still don’t believe it most days he’s gone.
“With tears in both our eyes, I got out and hugged that man. I’m talking about for a minute or two crying. Down to our knees crying. I needed that. “
“To all the family and friends of soldiers, fighting or that have been fighting, God bless you. Your peace and your hearts. It’s so hard without them, I know. This road is a tremendous one. Love to all.”
This officer just wanted to give William the “thank you” he deserves for the sacrifices he has made for his country! Having lost his own son, the officer knows all too well what veterans and their families have sacrificed for our freedoms.
These days, it often feels like veterans do not get the respect they deserve in the U.S. SHARE this story if you love and respect our military veterans!
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